Chicago teachers strike over, students head back to class

Chicago – The seven-day Chicago teachers strike ended this week and children made a return to school on Wednesday. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), union delegates voted to suspend the strike Tuesday after the review of a proposed contract settlement, which included concessions on classroom conditions and other issues.

Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis is quoted by the AP as stating of suspending the walkout, “We said that we couldn’t solve all the problems of the world with one contract, and it was time to end the strike.”

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is further quoted in the report as stating of the end of the strike, “This is an exciting day for the city of Chicago…I’m excited that the kids are back doing the most important thing.”

The Chicago public school system, whose teachers earn an average salary of $76,000, is the third largest in the nation.